The branch public library system has been developed in Bologna from 1960.
On May 15, the first Branch library was opened at the «citizens’
house» in San Donato. In the following twenty years their number rapidly
increased: in 1978, when the last one started service in Corticella, 16 branch
libraries had been opened in the 18 Bologna districts. They offered collections
between 2.500 and 3.000 books on open access and were under a Direction at the
Central Public Library at Palazzo Montanari.
Librarians at branch libraries were known as «cultural assistants»,
assigned to foster activities with neighbour associations and schools.
After 1974, most libraries were opened as part of Civic Centres, multipurpose
buildings hosting most of administrative, social, recreational district activities.